Enchanted Rock State Park Boondocking can be a bit difficult and while we have a few options for you that you might use both coming and going to the park for this site you may want to take advantage of the primite sites. They are inexpensive for the day at only $14 but make your reservations early. When coming from the West the city park in Junction, Texas is a fantastic place. Be sure and say hello to the manager Clark that John and Laurel with the popup tent said hello. He is a great guy and even delivered Chili to us at our site free. We have learned to our sources that the city has closed this to RV parking and it is a tent only site now.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to Texas?
A lot of great ideas are in these posts!
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Enchanted Rock is a Texas treasure and a location of folklore. The famous pink granite dome, which rises 425 feet, has been drawing people for thousands of years, who mostly flock to climb to the summit and see the views for themselves. There are 11 miles of hiking routes in the park, as well as some fantastic rock climbing and wildlife viewing. If you plan on staying the night, bring your tent—all 50 walk-in and hike-in campgrounds are rather modest and only allow tent camping. On the plus side, the stargazing at this Global Dark Sky Park is fantastic.
8 Enchanted Rock State Park Texas Boondocking Locations
check out our video
1. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park – Walmart Lampasas
1710 Plum St, Lampasas, TX 76550
Lampasas, Texas
GPS: 31.06249, -98.15959
Elevation: 1030′
Retail Store
The road in is Paved. The maximum RV length at Walmart Lampasas is unlimited. You may stay 1 at Walmart Lampasas. The Walmart in Lampasas at 1710 Plum St, Lampasas, TX 76550 allows overnight parking; they just request that you park a good distance from the store. It was a fairly level lot and quiet night. We parked off to the western side of the lot and were able to extend our slides over a sidewalk.
2. Boondocking Enchanted Rock – Goodwater Trail (hike in)
Georgetown, Texas
GPS: 30.68295, -97.745463
Elevation: 843′
Corp of Engineers
Lake Georgetown is home to the Goodwater Trail. 26 mile loop around Lake Georgetown. Perfect for backpacking or some day hiking and camping. Access to the trail and camping on the trail is free but to use the actual campground you have to pay (currently $22/night).
3. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park – Schreiner City Park
Junction, Texas
GPS: 30.491325, -99.759613
Elevation: 1685′
City Park
Schreiner City Park is open Year-round. You may stay 2-3 Nights at Schreiner City Park. As of March 2022 this is a tent only site due to abuse of the park.
4. Boondocking Enchanted Rock – Gillespie County Safety Rest Area
GPS: 30.235899, -98.609389
Rest Area
The road in is Paved. You may stay 24 hours at Gillespie County Safety Rest Area. A well-maintained rest stop on the 290 between Fredericksburg and Johnson City. Clean bathrooms, a playground, and many covered picnic tables. We stayed here two nights in a row with no trouble, but its definitely more of a quick stop-over kind of place.
5. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park – Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
Kerrville, Texas
GPS: 30.067934, -99.115189
Elevation: 1716′
Retail Store
The road in is Paved. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is open year round. You may stay Overnight at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.
6. Boondocking Enchanted Rock – Kerrville I-10 Rest Area MM 514
The East bound Rest Area is far better than the West bound. At the East bound Rest area there is an RV loop that takes you back a good ways from IH-10 so it’s quiet and is a super place to overnight. Very little traffic at night. There is an RV dump and water supply on the east end of the RV loop. TV is tolerable. It is on a hill so it’s usually breezy.
Comfort, Texas
GPS: 30.053207, -99.026817
Elevation: 1906′
Rest Area
7. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park – I-10 Picnic Area Nelson City, TX
Nelson City, Texas
GPS: 29.89929, -98.81744
Elevation: 1568′
Rest Area
The road in is Paved. I-10 Picnic Area Nelson City, TX is open Always. There are 30 or more campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay overnight at I-10 Picnic Area Nelson City, TX.
8. Boondocking Enchanted Rock – Spring Branch Hills Texas Walmart
Spring Branch, Texas
GPS: 29.801214, -98.420742
Elevation: 1168′
Retail Store
The road in is Paved. Spring Branch Hills Texas Walmart is open year round. The maximum RV length at Spring Branch Hills Texas Walmart is unlimited. You may stay overnight at Spring Branch Hills Texas Walmart.
Paid Camping At Enchanted Rock State Park
Campsites with Water (Walk-in)
Cost $20 Day
People per Site: 8 Number of Sites: 35
We charge an excess vehicle overnight fee of $6 per car, per night, for each vehicle over two per campsite. Nothing may be hung from trees. Any hammocks or tarps must be hung from shelters; some sites do not have shelters.
Picnic table
Outdoor grill
Fire ring
Tent pad
Water nearby
Lantern post
Tent camping only
Restrooms with showers nearby
Some sites do not have shade shelters
Primitive Campsites (Hike-in)
Cost $14 Day
People per Site: 4 Number of Sites: 20
Moss Lake (eight sites) and Walnut Springs (12 sites) are a 1 to 3 mile hike over rugged terrain. We charge an excess vehicle fee of $6 per car, per night, for each vehicle over two per campsite. No ash-producing fires are permitted in this area. You may use containerized fuel stoves that can be turned off for cooking. Minors (under 17) who are not camping with a sponsored group must provide a written consent form to stay overnight. No hammocks allowed in primitive camping areas.
Pets allowed in primitive areas
Carry out all trash
Outdoor composting toilets
Ground fires (including charcoal) prohibited
No water available
Nothing may be hung from trees
Group Camp (Buzzards Roost)
Cost $100 Day
People per Site: 50
A primitive campground for groups of adventurers, close to climbing, hiking and nature. The area has dedicated parking, a private entrance, and a private camping area. You must hike about 0.75 miles to the campsite from the dedicated 25-space parking area (1.5 miles round trip). Fires are prohibited. Bring your own water or fill up at refreshment stations before the hike.
No Water
Carry out trash
Groups only
Composting toilet
0.75 miles walk to site
Paid Campgrounds Near Enchanted Rock
1. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park Camping Option – Tejas Park
4562 Co Road 258
Liberty Hill, Texas
GPS: 30.696876, -97.826197
Elevation: 822′
Corps of Engineers
Cost $6 Day
Tejas Park offers primitive camping that is accessible by vehicle. The park has 12 “tent only” sites and 1 “tent only” group area with a picnic table, tent pad, and ground fire ring. Potable water is available at a central location within the park. Vault toilets are located near the park entrance. Each site will accommodate up to 8 people. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 15 feet. You may stay 14 at Tejas Park.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
2. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping Option – Shaffer Bend Park
706 County Rd. 343A
Marble Falls, Texas
GPS: 30.546629, -98.173874
Elevation: 769′
County Park (Official)
Cost $5 Day
Shaffer Bend Park is open year-round. You may stay 5 days at Shaffer Bend Park.
Amenities:
Near Water
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
3. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping Park Paid Option – Turkey Bend RV Park
28828 Fine Road
Marble Falls, Texas
GPS: 30.509127, -98.102423
Elevation: 809′
Privately Owned Campground (Official)
Cost $10 Day
The road in is Paved to this Enchanted Rock boondocking alternative. Turkey Bend RV Park is open Year Round. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay Any at Turkey Bend RV Park.
Amenities:
Drinking Water
Electricity
Fire Ring
Near Water
Sewer
Trash Cans
4. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping Option – Turkey Bend Recreation Area
4000 Shaw Dr.
Marble Falls, Texas
GPS: 30.494484, -98.114281
Elevation: 720′
County Park (Official)
Cost $5 Day
Turkey Bend Recreation Area is open year-round. You may stay 5 days at Turkey Bend Recreation Area.
Amenities:
Near Water
Restrooms
5. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping ark Paid Option – Lady Bird Municipal Campground
Fredericksburg, Texas
GPS: 30.240712, -98.909924
County Park (Official)
Cost $10 Day
The road in is Paved. Lady Bird Municipal Campground is open Year round. There are 30 or more campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 at Lady Bird Municipal Campground. If you want to stay with service for a day on your way in or out of Enchanted Rock this is a great Enchanted Rock boondocking alternative.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Showers
Trash Cans
6. North Park COE
3000 North Park Road
Canyon Lake, Texas
GPS: 29.873974, -98.20398
Elevation: 982′
Corps of Engineers (Official)
Cost $12 Day
North Park Enchanted Rock boondocking alternative is located on the North side of Canyon Lake Dam on North Park Road. There are 19 campsites (no RV hookups), vault toilets, no showers, no boat ramp. Each campsite includes a picnic table and a fire ring. This is a popular scuba diving area. Divers must rent a campsite to go diving. NO life guards on duty. All of the beaches and shoreline are swim if you choose. North Park COE is open 1 April – 30 September . There are 16-29 campsites at this location.
Amenities:
Drinking Water
Fire Ring
Near Water
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
7. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping Park Paid Option – Cedar Point
545 Ranch Rd. 3014
Tow, Texas
GPS: 30.866228, -98.459869
Elevation: 1052′
County Park (Official)
Cost $10 Entry and $5 per person per day to camp.
You may stay 5 consecutive and 10 in 30 at Cedar Point.
Amenities:
Boat Ramp
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Activities:
Boating
Fishing
Swimming
Wildlife Viewing
8. Boondocking Enchanted Rock Camping Option – Robinson City
100-126 Robinson Park Drive
Llano, Texas
GPS: 30.749924, -98.705485
Elevation: 1037′
City Park
Cost $5 Day
Robinson City Enchanted Rock boondocking alternative is open all year. Located on the banks of the Llano River approximately 2 miles west of Downtown Llano on FM 152. The Llano River Golf and RV Resort is adjacent to the park on it’s west side. The park offers gorgeous shade trees, picnic and playground areas, swimming, and fishing. Robinson City Park is home to the annual Crawfish Open in April. Tent camping is $5/night. RV camping is $27/night and comes with full hookups. There is RV camping for $15/night across the river at Badu RV Park
Amenities:
Drinking Water
Dump Station
Laundry
Pets Welcome
Restrooms
Playground
Showers
Trash Cans
9. Boondocking Enchanted Rock State Park Camping Option – Black Rock Park
3400 Ranch Road 261
Buchanan Dam, Texas
GPS: 30.764666, -98.453018
Elevation: 1024′
Privately Owned Campground (Official)
Cost $10 Day Tent $25 Day RV
The road in to this Enchanted Rock State Park is Paved. Black Rock Park is open Year round and is a great Enchanted Rock boondocking alternative. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 50ft. You may stay 50ft at Black Rock Park. 25 Tent sites. 15 RV sites all with electricity, water and sewer. Three full bathrooms as well. Tent sites are $10. RV suites are $25. Unknown if RV’s may camp in tent sites.
Amenities:
Boat Ramp
Drinking Water
Dump Station
Electricity
Fire Ring
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Playground
Sewer
Showers
History Of Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock, a granite dome about twenty miles to the north of Fredericksburg in southern Llano County, has long been the subject of stories. The rock was feared and revered by the nearby Comanche and Tonkawa Indians, who were reported to give sacrifices at its foot.
The Hill Country behemoth was a mysterious spot full of history and mystery before trekkers made Enchanted Rock a frequent trip and millennials took yoga photos on the dome.
Enchanted Rock was regarded as a bizarre building from a magical world when humans first arrived in the region 12,000 years ago.
According to a Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine article, aboriginal tribes believed the now-beloved dome was cursed and occupied by the devil himself because it creaked, groaned, and flickered with purported “ghost fires.”
The story of Don Jess Navarro, a young Spanish soldier, and his rescue of the Indian maiden Rosa is one of the most lasting and romantic stories of Enchanted Rock. In 1750, Navarro is said to have traveled from Monterrey to San José y San Miguel de Aguayo Mission in San Antonio. He fell madly in love with Rosa, the Christian child of the Indian chief Tehuan, during the mission. Rosa, however, was kidnapped by a tribe of Comanches who planned to sacrifice her to the Enchanted Rock spirits. Her daring lover tracked them down and rescued her just as she was to be burned alive.
Another story recounts a heroic occurrence in the life of Capt. John Coffee Hays, which was given official legitimacy when the state of Texas recognized this with a marker near the top of the Enchanted Rock in 1936. In the fall of 1841, when his company of Texas Rangers was cut off by Comanche raiders on a surveying trip, Hays took refuge on Enchanted Rock and held off the Indians alone in a three-hour fight that concluded when the frustrated Indians fled, even more convinced than before that Enchanted Rock was plagued by vengeful spirits.
Things To Do Near Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock Hiking
There are 11 kilometers of paths at Enchanted Rock. Enchanted Rock and Little Rock can be climbed to the summit of or hiked around. Here are my top picks for hiking trails.
Enchanted Rock Boondocking and Hiking
There are three types of camping at Enchanted Rock: boondocking, walk-in campgrounds with water near your vehicle and rustic hike-in campsites. There are 35 water-supplied sites and 20 hike-in sites available. There are also group locations to choose from. The hike-in sites are approximately a mile from the parking lot. Bookings can be requested up to 5 months in advance, so if you want to stay here on a weekend, be sure you book early!
Enchanted Rock is a place where you can go rock climbing.
Within Enchanted Rock, there are a number of rock climbing places. If you’ve never done rock climbing before, there are several companies that provide introductory lessons. One such company is Texas Climbing Adventures. If you’re climbing on your own, make sure to consult the Enchanted Rock webpage for rules and restrictions.
Pay a visit to Fredericksburg.
Between Austin and San Antonio sits the Texas Hill Country. It is noted for its stunning scenery, several wineries, and as a calm retreat from the larger towns nearby. In Hill Country, there are several small, charming towns, but Fredericksburg is one of my favorites. It has a lot to offer, but it still feels like a small town. Fredericksburg is also ideally situated between San Antonio and Austin. Over 100 wineries may be found in Hill Country, with many of them clustered along Highway 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. The focus of this guide will be on staying in Fredericksburg while visiting the Hill Country.
Visitor Tips for Enchanted Rock Boondocking
What Are Vernal Pools?
Vernal pools are crevices in the rock that you’ll come upon while hiking on Enchanted Rock. Whether or not these are filled with water depends on the duration of year and recent rainfall, but they are host to fairy shrimp. Even when the pool is dry, the shrimp eggs can be found there. Do not enter these pools since you may harm the sensitive ecosystems.
Do I need to Bring Water to Enchanted Rock
When coming, take your own drinking water. Due to the continuing drought, there is very little water accessible in the park as of this writing.
Do I need Reservations for Enchanted Rock
A reservation is highly encouraged prior to traveling to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Visit the Texas Parks & Wildlife Reservation System to make a reservation for park entry. Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance of arrival. Spring is a busy time for the park and reservations typically sell out, especially on weekends.
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